Iowa-South Carolina to Meet in Outback Bowl

Dec. 7, 2008

IOWA CITY, IA – Kirk Ferentz 2008 Iowa football squad will square off against South Carolina in the 23rd annual Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day in Tampa, FL. The official invitation to both teams came earlier today from Outback Bowl officials.

Iowa and South Carolina will each be making its third appearance in the Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes beat Florida (37-17) following the 2003 season and lost to the Gators (31-24) after the 2005 season. South Carolina beat Ohio State following the 2000 (24-7) and 2001 (31-28) seasons. This will be the first time Iowa has played South Carolina in football.

The following is a statement from Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz on being invited to the 2009 Outback Bowl and facing the Gamecocks.

“We’re extremely excited to be returning to Tampa and playing in the 2009 Outback Bowl. We had tremendous experiences in our two previous visits and we’re honored to be invited back. We’re excited about the challenge of playing another excellent team from the Southeastern Conference. South Carolina and Coach Steve Spurrier represents a program rich in tradition. It’s going to be a great challenge, but one we’re looking forward to.”

This will be Iowa’s seventh bowl appearance in the last eight years. It will also be Iowa fifth New Year’s Day Bowl appearance in the last seven years. The Hawkeyes have been bowl eligible the last eight seasons. This year’s Outback Bowl will kickoff at 10 a.m. (CST) and will be televised nationally on ESPN.